Carlo Ancelotti's Everton are now one of the hardest teams to beat in the Premier League.

Since returning following the break for COVID-19, the Toffees are unbeaten.

A draw with champions Liverpool and a victory over Leicester are impressive results, especially when you consider where the club was under Marco Silva.

Heading towards the bottom of the table, the Italian has rescued them. Had they not had such a poor start to the campaign, a place in Europe may have been on the cards.

Ultimately, that is Ancelotti's goal for Everton, but he may have to wait a few more years for that to arrive.

With the addition of a few more players in the summer, his ambition could soon become a reality.

The Merseysiders have been linked with swoops for Alfredo Morelos and Philippe Coutinho among others, but this time, it's a central midfielder who's being linked with the club.

Ancelotti

Plenty of rumours have emerged this week but the latest one doing the rounds is to do with American sensation Weston McKennie.

The midfielder has become one of the rising stars of US and German football, starring for Schalke in the Bundesliga.

BILD suggest that both Everton and Newcastle are interested in landing the 21-year-old this summer in a deal that could cost €25m (£22.5m).

That's the price Schalke bosses are expecting for his signature with the club currently embroiled in financial difficulty. 

The German side are in debt and have also suffered great losses from the Coronavirus crisis. 

Thus, a bargain could be on the cards for Marcel Brands.

McKennie

GIVEMESPORT's Matt Dawson says...

The youngster is an all-action midfielder capable of doing just about anything.

In 2019/20, McKennie found the back of the net three times but was equally adept in defensive situations.

He won 2.3 tackles per game while producing 1.1 shots per match at the same time.

His reading of the game is exceptional, too. In the current campaign, he amassed 1.6 on average each outing. 

Based on that, it really is no surprise to see that he's been compared to Barcelona and Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal. 

McKennie

Described as a "true midfield warrior", he's developed immensely under the stewardship of former Huddersfield boss David Wagner.

Now in charge of McKennie at Schalke, he said this season: "He's an outstanding talent. In the No.6 or No.8 position he has the mentality, a real working mentality that you need. And he's brave on the ball as well. He can be one of the best midfielders in the Bundesliga."

That kind of praise is exactly what Everton fans will be wanting to hear. For a little over £20m, Brands would seal Ancelotti a real bargain.